Città Vecchia

Mdina (Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Imdina - Città Notabile)
Coat of arms
Motto: Città Notabile
Official name:	Mdina
Inhabitants:	Midjan (m), Midjana (f), Midjani (p)
Other names:	The Silent City (code: MDN)
Coordinates:	35°53′9″N 14°24′11″E / 35.88583°N 14.40306°E / 35.88583; 14.40306Coordinates: 35°53′9″N 14°24′11″E / 35.88583°N 14.40306°E / 35.88583; 14.40306
Area:	0.9km²
Population total:	278 (Nov 2005)
Population density:	314/km²
Borders:	Rabat
Patron saint:	St. Peter and St. Paul; Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Day of festa:	June 29; 4th Sunday of July
Mayor:	Peter Dei Conti Sant Manduca (PN)

View of Mdina from the countryside below.

Mdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, (English: Notabile, or Imdina)^[1] is the old capital of Malta. Mdina is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the centre of the island. Punic remains uncovered beyond the city’s walls suggest the importance of the general region to Malta’s Phoenician settlers. Mdina is commonly called the "Silent City" by natives and visitors alike. The town is still confined within its walls, and has a population of less than three hundred, but it is contiguous with the village of Rabat, which takes its name from the Arabic word for suburb, and has a population of over 11,000.

History

Mdina was inhabited and possibly first fortified by the Phoenicians around 700 BCE. The Phoenicians called it Maleth.^[2] The region benefits from its strategic location on one of the island's highest points and at maximum distance from the sea. Under the Roman Empire Malta became a Municipium and the Roman Governor built his palace in Mdina. Tradition holds that the Apostle St. Paul resided in the city after his historical shipwreck on the islands. Much of its present architecture reflects the Fatimid Period which began in 999 AD until the Norman conquest of Malta in 1091 AD. The Normans surrounded the city with thick defensive fortifications and widened the moat. The city was also separated it from its nearest town, Rabat.

Malta passed to the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in 1530 AD. Mdina hosted the public ceremony in which each Grand Master swore an oath to protect the Maltese Islands and the rights of his subjects. A strong earthquake in 1693 AD led to the introduction of Baroque design within the cityscape. The Knights of Malta rebuilt the cathedral, to the designs of Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa. Palazzo Falzon, the Magisterial Palace and major restoration works are other projects undertaken by the Knights.

Present

Most of Mdina's palaces serve as private homes. The impressive Cathedral of the Conversion of St Paul is fronted by a large square. Only a limited number of resident and emergency vehicles, wedding cars and hearses are allowed within Mdina.

Places of interest

St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina

• St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina
• Vilhena Palace
• Palazzo Falson (Norman House)
• St. Agatha's Chapel
• St. Nicholas' Chapel
• Natural History Museum
• Mdina Dungeons
• Carmelite Church & Convent
• Mdina Experience
• Benedictine Monastery
• Bastion Square

Local Council

The current local council members are:

• Peter Dei Conti Sant Manduca (mayor, PN)
• Frederick Azzopardi (PL)
• Jane Attard (PN)
• Camilla Scerri (PN)
• Joseph P. Debono (PN)

Sports

Founded in 2006, the Mdina Knights are currently enjoying a positive moment in the third division league organised by Malta's football governing body, the Malta Football Association.

Mdina Main Roads

• Misraħ il-Kunsill Ċittà Notabile (Notabile City Council Square)
• Pjazza San Pawl (St Paul Square)
• Pjazza San Publiju (St Publius Square)
• Pjazza ta' l-Arċisqof (Archbishop Square)
• Pjazza Tas-Sur (Bastion Square)
• Pjazzetta Beata Marija Adeodata Pisani (Blessed Maria Adeodata Pisani Square)
• Triq Inguanez (Inguanez Street)
• Triq is-Sur (Bastion Street)
• Triq San Pawl (St Paul Street)
• Triq Santu Rokku (St Roch Street)
• Triq Villegaignon (Villegaignon Street)

Popular culture

In White Wolf's World of Darkness, Mdina is the European capital of clan Lasombra.
In the Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series, Mdina is the site of an "ambush" where MI6 intends to retrieve Alex's father John Rider.

Photo Gallery

Defensive walls of the city	View of Mdina from neighbouring town Rabat	Mdina Gate, the city's main entrance	Mdina Gate, the city's main entrance
The Cathedral of St. Paul in the centre of Mdina	Cathedral's interior	Palazzo Falzon (Norman House)	Typical narrow medieval street
Typical Maltese door in Mdina	Canon inscription	Mdina's main gate

References

External links

• Self Guided Tours
• Mdina - GuidetoMalta.net

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v • d • e Cities in Malta Birgu (Città Vittoriosa) · Bormla (Città Cospicua) · Mdina (Città Notabile) · Qormi (Città Pinto) · Victoria (Città Vittoria)  · Senglea (Città Invicta) · Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand) · Valletta (Città Umillisima) · Żabbar (Città Hompesch) · Żebbuġ (Città Rohan) · Żejtun (Città Beland)